DOWNEY - As a result of mounting pressure from both City Council members and the public, the city will reinstate a signal light at the intersection of Lakewood Boulevard and Columbia Way, allowing drivers to once again make a left onto Columbia from Lakewood Blvd.After a median was added to Lakewood Blvd. during the multi-phased Lakewood Boulevard Improvement Project, the signal light that provided residents access to Columbia Way, when driving south on Lakewood, was removed.
"People did complain," said Public Works Director Brian Ragland. "They had to go down Lakewood Blvd. to Imperial Highway if they wanted to access Columbia."
On February 23, the City Council approved a $39,000 consulting agreement with KFM Engineering who will begin this Monday preparing plans, specifications and an estimate bid for the intersection improvements. In total, the city has set aside $200,000 in federal funds to modify the intersection.
As mayor, Councilman Mario Guerra brought up the issue during a Council meeting after his wife foresaw the inconvenience the new intersection would cause.
"Women are very smart," said Guerra over the phone. "It's a no brainer - it just doesn't make sense to go through a residential area to get to the Columbia Center. I've been fighting for three years to change this."
Ragland said after a design is selected, the City Council is expected to choose a contractor and authorize construction by mid-July. Ragland expects the signal to be completed no later than December 1.